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| November 01, 2006 | Wednesday | Shawwal 8, 1427 |
OCA downplays Doha Games bed crisis
SINGAPORE, Oct 31: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has moved to downplay concerns that there won't be enough beds for athletes and officials at the Asian Games in Doha, assuring them there is nothing to worry about.
OCA secretary general Raja Randhir Singh expressed confidence in the organising committee to resolve any problems after the number of participants from the 45 countries and territories taking part soared to 13,500.
The 500 million-dollar athletes' village in the Qatari capital was built for just 10,000 and sporting powerhouse Japan has been told it will only be provided with 693 beds for its 811-strong delegation.
It prompted the Japanese Olympic Committee to file an official protest last week about the “improper organization”.
Singh was quoted on the Doha Asian Games website as saying everything would be sorted out.
“All athletes and officials whose names have been forwarded by the respective National Olympic Committees will be accommodated at the Asian Games Village and there is no cause for concern in this regard,” said Singh.
The Asian Games is the world's biggest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics and the capital of the energy-rich Gulf state has seen a major makeover ahead of the competition on Dec 1-15.
Singh lavished praise on the organisers of what will be the largest sporting spectacle the Middle East has ever seen.
“All of the venues will comfortably be ready ahead of time, the vast majority are already finished, and the athletes' village and media facilities will be the best ever to grace an Asian Games,” he said.
“I'm pleased to confirm that all technical matters concerning the conduct of the Games as well as the test events for the Games have been completed and the OCA is extremely pleased with the outcome.”
At the last Asian Games in Busan, China topped the gold medal tally at 150, followed by host South Korea with 96 and Japan with 44.—AFP
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